Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration By: Allen Justin

PhotoSynthesis Definition

Photosynthesis is the process where plants create food for themselves and create a byproduct which is oxygen. The materials that plants need to create food are carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight energy. These materials are also reactants in the chemical equation for photosynthesis. These materials are absorbed by the plants in different ways. The carbon dioxide from the air passes through holes in the leaves which are called stomata. Water is absorbed by plants through the roots and then transferred by the xylem to the leaves. Finally, the sunlight energy is then absorbed by a green chemical called chlorophyll which is a chemical inside of a plant cell called chloroplast. Chloroplast are the cells that makes up leaves on a plant. A fact about chlorophyll is that it gives the plant their green color. The products of the process of photosynthesis are glucose (sugar) and oxygen. Glucose is created with hydrogen and carbon dioxide. Oxygen is released from the plants during the process of photosynthesis. The chemical equation for photosynthesis is 6CO2 + 6H2O + light energy = C6H12O6 + 6O2.

Photosynthesis

Cellular Respiration Definition

Cellular Respiration is the process that releases energy (ATP) by breaking down glucose and other food molecules in the presence of oxygen. Respiration is when we breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide. Cellular Respiration happens inside the mitochondria cell. A mitochondria's specific purpose is to convert glucose or also called sugar into the cell's energy molecule, which is called ATP. ATP stands for Adenosine Triphosphate. The chemical equation for this chemical reaction is C6H12O6 + 6O2 = 6CO2 + 6H2O + energy (ATP). Plants also use the process of cellular respiration. Plants produce glucose through photosynthesis but the plants still need to make the sugar usable for the cells. So the plants use the process of cellular respiration to make the sugar usable for cells. Cellular Respiration also happens in the mitochondria of the cells.